Category: Lifestyle & Self Improvement

Staying mentally, emotionally and physically sound during trying times is one of the best prescriptions we can offer. Dance is a great way to bust stress and stay in shape. You don’t even need to leave the house – because now, dance will come to you, with Fred Astaire Dance Studios® new Online Lessons platform!...

It is quite common to see older friends, family, and members of the community lose their agency and physical strength to the rigors of aging. It can be quite disempowering but aging doesn’t mean you have to give up your agency. There are a whole host of exceptional exercise methods that you can practice well...

Like all forms of physical fitness, dance is an exceptional way to get healthy and stay healthy, whether you are 10 years old or 100. The physical and mental health benefits of dance are so numerous and exciting that we must share a few of them with you! Reduce the Effects of Aging Due to...

This year, resolve to live your very best life – with dance! Ballroom Dance lessons are a fun, easy way to exercise, relieve stress, make new friends and get closer to your significant other. Our certified Dance Instructors are specialists in helping you set goals that you will enjoy keeping. And every Fred Astaire Dance...

Ballroom dancing is an incredibly fun form of exercise that also has a number of social benefits as well. It’s not an exaggeration when we say that dancing is beneficial for your body, mind and soul! As you can imagine, dancing offers a great workout for the body in a number of ways. Let us...

When researching weight loss solutions, it’s always best to adopt the attitude of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Does this pill really “target and zap fat away?” Probably not. Does this one weird trick really make the pounds fall off? Definitely not. Luckily, eating right and finding the right...

We are, by nature, social creatures. We rely on interaction with others to make common cause, to feel worthy and needed, to develop and maintain relationships and friendships. This isn’t always easy. But dance can help. Dance – and the many activities at Fred Astaire Dance Studios – emphasize a sense of inclusion and community...

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we at Fred Astaire Dance Studios are proud to support this campaign against a terrible disease that takes more than 50,000 lives each year. Those who have touched by this disease as a survivor, a friend, a loved one, or a caregiver, healthcare provider, etc.– find that...

With the popular dance shows on TV, more and more attention is being paid to dance. Is it for you? Here are 5 ways that dance works with your body and mind to help you be a healthier, happier you! 1. Dance is considered a “moderate” workout – although if you’re doing something like the quick step...

Having great posture is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, however, it tends to be something most people don’t pay much attention to. Fortunately, if you are taking dance lessons, it is something to will learn to focus on. Let’s begin with some “myths” about great posture: 1. You should have a flat back....

Gentlemen, it’s time to get out on that dance floor and move! The benefits are innumerable and the downside is non-existent. For one, dancing is a great way to meet others, especially at your local Fred Astaire Dance Studio. It’s a low-pressure atmosphere and you’ll be among folks with a common goal – learning to...

If you’ve ever seen a dance competition, or even an episode of the wildly popular dance shows such as “Dancing With The Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance?”, or “Americans Got Talent”, you probably couldn’t help but notice the confidence and ‘swag’ that these dancers carry on and off the dance floor. As viewers,...

Meeting new people can be challenging for someone living the single life. It’s no secret that, in order to meet new people, you have to put yourself out there, but it can be a bit intimidating to try new activities alone. So, when it comes to trying your hand at dance lessons, what’s a single...

It’s no secret that dancing is one of the best ways to bring a group of people together. In fact, it’s almost like a universal language! Not only is dancing fun but it an easy way for people of all backgrounds to socialize and celebrate life. Dance plays a role in many social events, whether...

As summer approaches, life feels less hectic as the pace slows a little bit, and that could mean a little more precious time for you. What will you do with it? Let us remind you that summer is the perfect time to learn something new! Here are three simple reasons why you should be dancing...

Being a “good dancer” means different things to different people. To some people, it means being able to dance socially and join the fun at any event where there are people dancing. To other people, it means learning to dance competitively. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we make learning how to dance (socially and competitively)...

Do you ever wonder if you are too old to dance? Well, we have an answer for you – absolutely not! Fred Astaire Dance Studios has students of all age groups, from college students to 80+. In fact, many of our students started dancing in their later stages of life! The best part of dancing...

We all know people who work out furiously at the gym without losing much, if any, weight. Some of them rationalize it – if I exercise, I can eat what I want. That’s what they say, even as the weight creeps on a bit at a time and rarely leaves for long. You cannot consume...

Dance opens so many pathways to a better, richer life. Dance is beneficial for a person’s health on every level, providing physical activity, an outlet for creativity and the opportunity for more meaningful social interactions. All of these lead to a richer, fuller existence and open the door for personal improvements in each area. Ballroom...

Feeling sad? No energy? Down and out? It’s called the winter blues, and you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), caused by low levels of light during the cold, winter months. Research has shown exercise can help, and dancing may be one of the best forms of exercise. Besides, what’s...

Shortly after the guilt of a gluttonous December sets in, we’re all ready to hit the “restart” button on our health. However. did you know that an estimated 80 percent of the New Year’s resolutions crowd drops their gym membership by the second week of February?* That’s why more and more people are getting their fitness...

Downtown View Episode 4 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ZHrGm9pDM[/embedyt] Dear Friends, Welcome to the Downtown View. Vlog about Ballroom Dancing and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Downtown New York. This is a weekly Vlog, so every week, please stop by and see what news we have prepared for you! You will get to see the Studio, meet up...

Downtown View Episode 3 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU4xDXp9Odo[/embedyt]\\ Dear Friends, Welcome to the Downtown View. Vlog about Ballroom Dancing and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Downtown New York. This is a weekly Vlog, so every week, please stop by and see what news we have prepared for you! You will get to see the Studio, meet up...

Downtown View Episode 2 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqCWYaWr-h8[/embedyt] Dear Friends, Welcome to the Downtown View. Vlog about Ballroom Dancing and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Downtown New York. This is a weekly Vlog, so every week, please stop by and see what news we have prepared for you! You will get to see the Studio, meet up...

Downtown View Episode 1 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Wyuqlv9TY[/embedyt] Dear Friends, Welcome to the Downtown View. Vlog about Ballroom Dancing and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Downtown New York. This is a weekly Vlog, so every week, please stop by and see what news we have prepared for you! You will get to see the Studio, meet...

When it comes to dance, no truer words were spoken than what was said by British poet and dramatist, John Dryden in the 1600’s, “Dancing is the poetry of the foot.” Whether dancing in front of an audience or dancing down a street on a sunny afternoon, the feet write and display the graceful beauty...

“Burn, baby, burn, it’s a disco inferno.” Ah, we remember those lyrics from disco’s heyday. And while disco isn’t the hot, hot, hot thing of the past, all manner of line dances and high-energy dances have taken its place. Dance is, of course, a wonderful form of personal expression and also one that can involve a...

Fred Astaire Dance Studio students work diligently to perfect their steps on the dance floor, to master the dances they learn – and have fun along the way. They come to our partice parties and our outings, they dance, they meet others who share that passion for dancing. But there’s a big world out there, and...

Greetings, Dance Fans! Our last blog about the online dating scene was focused on “putting your best foot forward”, and creating your best online dating profile. Now that your online dating profile is live and generating potential matches, let’s move on to responding to those inquiries and going on an actual date! Congratulations! You took...

Holiday parties are a great way to meet and mingle, and enjoy the spirit of the season. And if you choose to host a holiday party, you’ll want it to be a memorable dance party. We salute that as a noble goal, and we’re here to help you achieve exactly that. Whether your party is an...

Add Ballroom Dance to your Repertoire! Internet dating has really changed in recent years. Five to 10 years ago, it was territory only for the bold and the “outliers”, but now it’s completely socially acceptable. And as our societies become increasingly fast-paced and we’re all challenged to carve out leisure time, more and more people worldwide...

Here come the holidays. And here come the parties, the snacks, the beverages, the little overindulgences that make clothing a bit too tight for comfort. Hey, we like to look good in our smart outfits. Even a couple of pounds can cause distress. We know how easy it is to add a few and how...

Dancing is a staple of many social activities conducted in public – weddings, social and business parties, dinner dates – and as such, is subject to the usual social conventions. Grace and charm are part of dance (and part of the fun!), and your personality is as well. Ballroom dancing can be active and passionate...

Family, friends, work, texts, emails, Facebook, Twitter, 24/7 news updates. Social outings, the kids’ soccer practices and music lessons, grocery shopping, gardening. It never ends. Everything demands our attention and demands it immediately. We train ourselves for “fight or flight” responses and we pay the price. Mental and emotional overload from the daily stress can manifest...

Many people make elaborate plans in preparation for retirement. According to reference.com, four million people retire in the U.S. every year. Their finances are in order and their medical plans are in place. They’ve planned to retire, but haven’t planned what to do with all of the time that comes with freedom from the world...

Physical fitness encompasses much more than the body. Its impact on the mind, on emotion health and wellness, should never be underestimated. Are you looking to jump-start your fitness routine to keep fit and feel healthy all summer? We can help! At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, we help our current students look and feel great...

Summertime always feels just so free and easy! The longer days, the barbecues, good times spent with friends, a gentle breeze under the moonlight – that’s summer. It’s a time to get out have fun, enjoy friends, family and events. Add something new and fun to your summer while keeping the bounce in your step...

Author and teacher, William W. Purkey, gave an exciting voice to the philosophy that we at Fred Astaire Dance Studios have lived by since our founding in 1947: “You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.” Those lyrics...

It’s the same old story. When the weather’s colder, we don bulky sweaters, crave comfort food & don’t get outside to exercise as often. A pound here, a pound there, and pretty soon it adds up. And sticks out. And just doesn’t look or feel real good when we try on the old swimsuit in...

It’s been a month and the party’s over. Actually, all of the parties are over. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s. All done. And they may have left behind a bit of a mess for you to clean up, right around your waist line. A cookie here, some eggnog there, a few holidays treats in between,...

Many of our students tell us that they think of their Fred Astaire Dance Studio as a home-away-from-home, and a family. These are people with a common interest – a love of dance – who also discovered a genuine fondness for each other, a wonderful outlet for their creativity, and a sense of accomplishment as...

We know that ballroom dance is beneficial physically, mentally and socially. But what is it, exactly, that makes us like to dance? Beyond the tangible physical, mental and social benefits, why does the movement and the expression of dance give us such pleasure? Now, here at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we’d probably say we like...

We at Fred Astaire Dance Studios love to share information about the benefits of dance – socializing, building confidence, learning a new pastime, getting in better shape – and so many more, including… guess what? Dancing makes you smarter! In an article called Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter, Richard Powers, who leads...

The official start of beach season is not far off! Memorial Day weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer, is at the end of May, and that’s when we traditionally first slip into our swimsuits for revelry at the beach and pool parties. The big (so to speak) question is: will you fit in your...

We get it. We’ve been there. You’re stressed, a little frazzled, and you want to be in better shape. But you’re not really the type with a hobby to take your mind off daily issues, and you’re not a gym rat or interested in team sports. What to do? Hey, you’ve already found our Dance...

Dear Mr. Rothweiler, My wife and I recently did our first spotlight dance. Never in thirty years of marriage did we ever think we could dance, let alone be confident and proficient enough to do so for an audience. It was truly a benchmark moment in our lives. My wife and I have always been...

Meet Terry, a Fred Astaire Dance Studios student we feel so lucky to have! Five months ago, Terry came to a Practice Party at FADS Buffalo, NY studio with her husband, Tim. But they didn’t dance a step — oh, no! Instead, they watched the party from the “safe” lounge area, conversing with our students and...

Whether you flaunt your every move on the dance floor or sway to your favorite songs in the car, dance is an activity that everybody enjoys, in one way or another. Luckily, dancing is something that will not only bring a smile to your face, but can also help improve your physical and mental health....

(And that just might be the number of times Marilyn Clasen passed the building sign, too…) …the one in her neighborhood, that said “Fred Astaire Dance Studio” — before she went in. Once she did, she no longer felt like ‘just another stranger from Cleveland’. She was soon immersed in a new, healthy, exciting, favorite...

If you flipped through the June 2014 issue of Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine , you might have recognized a familiar face. Perhaps you remember Tao Porchon-Lynch from one of Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ National Dance Competitions, or if you’re a member of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Hartsdale NY family, you might even know...

Many of our new Fred Astaire Dance Studio students soon find that they want more out of ballroom dancing than just a hobby. They begin to really challenge themselves as they work more consistently and passionately on their dance lessons. Some of them, like Wendy Walcott (Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Milwaukee, Wisconsin) will even...

Fred Astaire Dance Studios® locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees of FADS USA, Inc. Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact us for complete details.